November 7, 2026
Lebanon’s achievements in the sport of rugby go beyond the limits of passing participations or limited regional victories, to constitute an upward march and an effective international presence for the men’s and women’s teams in Asian competitions, thus overcoming the grave challenges facing Lebanese sports in general.
In this context, the two teams recorded a remarkable presence in the Asian Rugby Sevens Championship for the West and Central Asia regions, hosted by the Jordanian city of Aqaba on November 6 and 7, where they presented outstanding levels from the first day that confirm the ability of Lebanese rugby to compete against the region’s top teams.
In the men’s competition, the team began its journey by defeating Oman with a score of 31-12, followed by a major victory over Syria with a score of 43-0, and then defeated Saudi Arabia 17-10, in a path that reflects its offensive capabilities and defensive discipline. Despite its stumble against Pakistan with a score of 14-10, the team maintained its chances in the competition circle.
In turn, the women’s team excelled, achieving four successive victories, which began by overcoming Syria 32-0, then Saudi Arabia 27-5, followed by a deserved victory over host Jordan with a score of 22-7, concluding its series of victories by sweeping Iraq with a score of 35-0, which embodies the steady development of the women’s team and its ability to impose itself regionally.
These successes are not considered a result of the moment, as the practice of rugby union began in Lebanon in 1995, and culminated in the establishment of the Lebanese Federation for the game in 2009 and its recognition as a national sport. On the continental level, the men’s team won the Asian Championship titles for three consecutive years between 2013 and 2015 without any defeat, and was crowned the West Asian Rugby Sevens Championship in 2013 and 2014, in addition to the third category Asian Championship titles in 2017 and 2018, leading up to participation in the Asian Games and the University Championships.
As for women’s rugby, the team recorded a historic milestone in 2019 by coming in second place during its first international participation in the West Asian Championship. The current results in Jordan confirm that the team has become a real competitor and not just looking for experience, which enhances the presence of Lebanese women in a sport that requires physical strength and high discipline.
The continuation of this Lebanese presence is based on integration between local energies in schools, universities and clubs, and the sports diaspora network. In this context, the Lebanese Federation continues its efforts to develop local championships and age group competitions and support the female component. However, the sustainability of this sports project requires increased financial and organizational capabilities, in addition to investing in infrastructure and ensuring regular international contact opportunities.
The Aqaba Championship gains double importance, given that the winner of the men’s and women’s titles will win a ticket to the Asian Rugby Sevens Series for the year 2027. Between the bright history of the men’s team and the steady progress of the women’s team, Lebanese rugby proves that it is a living example of exceeding the available capabilities and opening new horizons that establish a prominent stage on the front of the Asian sports presence.
